The ex politician has proved a surprise fans' favourite on the Saturday night BBC show.

He couldn't resist a spin with the Scot and seemed to relish playing the leading role, promptly arranging her into position and showing her the correct starting stance.

He raised his right hand in the air and encouraged her to adopt a mirror image position before clutching her and instructing "you go like that, that and back" to which she squealed and fell into a back bend.

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Ed was getting some extra practice before his next Strictly Come Dancing appearanceCredit: pixel GRG

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He got into the leading roleCredit: pixel GRG

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They giggled as they performed the Paso DobleCredit: pixel GRG

Meanwhile presenter Victoria whooped "hooray" and held up a judges scoreboard showing six as they sashayed across the room.

She then quipped: "Careful this is Carol, she's a national treasure."

Meanwhile Ed's dance partner, who looked stunning in a red dress with a plunging v neckline, was keen to take things further and said: "Oh my goodness, you're good Ed!

"We should probably do it to music shouldn't we?" to which he quizzed: "To music?"

She replied "Bonnie Tanner, who you danced to last week!"

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Carol was all smiles in their boogieCredit: pixel GRG

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She then urged Ed to dance to musicCredit: pixel GRG

Her comments prompted the ex chancellor to become a little camera shy as he tried to stutter out an excuse about not practising it to the beat.

Yet bubbly Carol, a favourite with BBC Breakfast viewers gently encouraged him and said: "Neither have I - we are in the same boat."

They then started round two in a slow-mo version of the dance which saw Ed concentrate hard on putting his feet in the right positions.

He enthused: "There's that big swing at the end, I throw you, and you've got that big leap and then woosh and then bang."

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The ex politician eagerly demonstrated the movesCredit: pixel GRG

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Victoria gave her verdictCredit: BBC

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The former Chancellor performed the routine to Holding out for a Hero by Bonnie Tyler on this evening’s show – but left the dancefloor visibly deflated after admitting he had suffered ‘several mistakes’.

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They were in fits of giggles as they strutted their stuffCredit: pixel GRG

The errors didn’t go unnoticed by the judges, who slated the performance but admired his efforts in the competition so far.

Head judge Len Goodman admitted: “You might not take home the glitterball – but it’s not for want of trying!”

Catch Strictly Come Dancing Saturdays and Sundays on BBC1.

Keep up with the celebrities rehearsals in Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two on BBC2.